The Jigawa State Government has initiated strategic partnership discussions with Egyptian R&D company EFC Plants to introduce advanced plant tissue culture technology for date palm and Irish potato production. 

Disclosed on Thursday, August 20, 2026, by Chief Press Secretary Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, Governor Malam Umar Namadi led a technical delegation to Cairo to inspect state-of-the-art biotechnology facilities and negotiate a comprehensive technology-transfer framework.

During the Cairo mission, the state delegation toured EFC Plants’ facilities, which include climate-controlled greenhouses, a plant pathology diagnostic laboratory, specialised growth incubation rooms, and cold-storage units capable of handling up to six million plantlets. 

The technical briefings detailed the full micropropagation cycle, from mother plant selection and disease testing to acclimatisation and commercial greenhouse distribution. The state aims to leverage this technology to guarantee farmers immediate access to certified, virus-free, and high-yielding planting materials.

Governor Namadi emphasised that the proposed venture extends far beyond purchasing seed stock, targeting localised capacity building and private-sector investment: 

“Our proposed partnership with EFC Plants will go beyond the purchase of planting materials. We are seeking a comprehensive relationship that will deliver technology transfer, local capacity development, research collaboration, private investment and the commercial production of clean planting materials in Jigawa State.” 

Accompanied by top leadership from the Jigawa Research Institute, Jigawa Agricultural Transformation Agency, and Natay Agro Limited, the government is initiating technical feasibility studies and site selection to position the state as a national hub for biotechnology-supported agribusiness.

Source: ThisDay
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